Latch



M. YARTYAN March 2, 1937.

LATCH Filed March 1B, 1936 2` Sheets-Sheet l )f1/nad' ATTORNEY March 2,1937. M. YARTYAN 2,072,726

- LATCH Filed March 18, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mln/wr l/aryarb.

' ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ApplicationMarch 18,

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for latching or securing suitableappurtenances against movement in a particular position or any one of anumber of different positions.

The device may be used advantageously in conjunction with a roll screen,curtain and the like. The device is useful, for instance, with a rollscreen of the type disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States, No.2,025,630, granted to me. In this type of screen the screen material iswound on and unwound from a spring roller, and the opposite side edgesof said material move in vertical guides respectively. The device of thepresent invention obviates the usual ratchet and pawl of the roller, andwill not only retain the screen material in position to fully occupy thewindow or door opening, but also serves to retain the screen material indifferent positions clear of desired portions of said opening.

The device enables a person to not only latch and unlatch anappurtenance, but also to operate or move the appurtenance, as forinstance, the device will enable a person to unlatch a slidable s-creen,sash, curtain and the like, and to slide it down or up, or permit it tobe drawn up by suitable means, and said device will automatically latchthe screen, sash, curtain and the like upon release of the device.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthe indicated character which is simple of construction; one which is ofefflcient and substantial design for the purposes mentioned; and onewhich may be produced at low cost.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features andadvantages will appear when the following specification is read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an inside view of a roll screen applied to a window frame,said screen being selected to illustrate the device of the presentinvention shown applied for use therewith, and portions of the screenand the frame being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section showing certain features of the device.

Fig. 3 is a view looking down on the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section showing additional features of thedevice.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of one of the parts lof the device used asa retainer.

1936, Serial No. 69,459

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the channel member showingthe cam slots.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

On reference to the drawings, it will be ap- 5 parent that there isshown a supporting and guiding structure I0 arranged in a window frame II. The structure I0 comprises a sill bar I2, a housing or casing I3, andtubular guides I4. The lower ends of the guides I4 are adjustablyconnected 10 with the bar I2 by adjusting screws I5 swivelly connectedwith said bar as at I6. The upper ends of the guides I4 are connectedwith the Casing I3. The guides I4 are disposed vertically adjacent theside stiles of the frame II, and each of said guides has a slot Ilextending longitudinally thereof throughout its length. A spring rollerIS is arranged within the casing I3, and is operatively supported bysuitable means which also serves to connect the casing I3 with the upperends of the guides I4. The casing I3 has an opening extendinglongitudinally and in communication with the upper ends of the slots I1in the guides I4, so that screen material I9 connected with the rollerI8 may be wound on the roller and unwound therefrom while the oppositeside edges of said material I9 moves in the slots I1 respectively. It isto be understood that the roller is under the influence of a rewindingspring to rotate it in order to rewind the material I9 on said roller.The device of the present invention, by way of example, is applied tothe lower end of the material I9, to not only retain the material I9 inposition to fully occupy the window opening, but also to retain saidmaterial in different positions clear of desired portions of saidopening.

In accordance with the invention a metal strip equal in length to thewidth of the screen material I9, together with additional metal strips40 2l and 22 respectively of the same length as the strip 20, aresecured to the lower end of the material I9 by suitable means such asthe screws and nuts 23. The material I9 is bent around the strip 2| andsaid strip is arranged between 45 the other strips 20 and 22, to thuseffectually keep the material from pulling away from the strips. Thestrip 20 has a flange 24 extending along its lower edge throughout thelength thereof. Said flange 24 projects inwardly beyond the strips 2| 50and 22. The opposite ends of all of the strips are notched as at 25 soas to project into the guides I4 respectively through their slots I 1,and so as to clear the screws I5, in order that the flange '24 may bebrought down in contact with 55 the sill bar I2. A metal channel member2B of the same length of the ilange 22 extends along and rests on saidflange, the open side of the channel member 25 being closed by theflange. 5 Bearing blocks 2l are arranged within the channel member 26,there being four in the present instance, and two being disposed at theends of the channel member respectively, and two near the middlethereof. The bearing blocks 2l are l removably retained in place byfrictional contact with the opposite side walls of the channel member.Use is made or a pair of latch elements 28 constructed ofcross-sectionally round stock.

Each oi said elements 28 consists of relatively l offset portions 29 and3B respectively, and an intermediate portion 3l which joins theportions29 and 39. The portions 29 and 3D are disposed parallel to each other,and the portion Iv is dispos-ed at a right angle to the portions 29 and39.

The portion 29 constitutes a latch portion, the portion Sil'constitutesa handle portion, and the portion 3l constitutes a cam portion. Each ofthe elements 23 is supported by two of said bearing blocks 21 formovements with respect to said 2a channel member 26. The latch portion29 of each element 28 is disposed within the channel member 26 and isreceived by the related bearing blocks 2T so as to move axially inopposite directions, and also to turn. The cam portion 3l SOprojectsthrough a cam slot 32 in the channel member 26, and the handle portionis disposed outside of the channel member. When the latch portion isturning the portions 3D and 3I will each swing in an arc or Vice versa.A tubu- 1ar cross-sectionally round coupler constituting a handle isloosely connected or engaged with the handle portions 30 of the elements28 so that said portions may have axial and turning movements withrespect to said handle, the lat- 40" ter being designated 33. Each ofthe portions 30 projects only part way into the handle 33. Resilientmeans in the form of a coil compression spring 34 is arranged within thehandle 33 and its opposite ends thereof bear on the handle portions 39respectively. The spring 34 constantly tends to urge the elements 23away from each other into projected position for the latching orsecuring engagement of the latch portions 2S, and said spring 32 permitsthe elements 28 to be 5,0` moved toward each other into retractedposition for the disengagement of the portions 29. The walls of theslots 32 are disposed obliquely with respect to the axes of the latchportions, and constitute means xed in relation to the cam portions 3I tocooperate therewith to cause the movement of the elements 28 toward eachother wherein the latch portions 29 move axially and turn in the bearingblocks 21 when the handle 33 is being pulled into the position indicatedin V dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 9, thereby disengaging `the portions29. Upon release of the handle 33 the spring 32 reacts and causing theelements 28 to move into their projected position for the engagement ofthe latch portions 29. These portions 29 are in line with keeper strips35 extending along the guides Ill respectively and secured thereto forrelative adjustment by screw bolts 36 carried by each strip 35, andreceived respectively in longitudinal slots 3l in the related guide Ill.Each strip 35 has a series of holes gaged with the strips 35 atdifferent points by rea son of the slots 33, to retain the screenmaterial I9 in diierent positions clear of desired portions of theopening of the frame Il, and that said portions 29 may be engaged in theslots 39 re\ spectively to prevent the material I9 being drawn up by thespring roller I8 beyond a certain point thereby stopping the latchingassembly7 just below the casing I3. Thescreen material I9 will then befully clear of the opening of the frame II. By engaging the latchportions 29 in the lowerrnost notches 38 respectively, the ilange 24will be in contact with the sill bar I2 thereby excluding nies .andinsects, it being apparent that the material I9 will span the areabounded by the strips on the lower end of said material, the casing I3,and the guides I4.

It is to be understood that the channel member 26 may be secured inplace in any suitable manner, or its equivalent be formed integral withthe strip 20. The channel member 26 may be welded to the strip 26. Inthe present instance the channel member is secured in place by a pair ofretainers 43, there being one retainer associated with each of thebearing blocks 27 at the ends of the channel member respectively. Eachretainer 2Q has a channel portion II formed on a plate portion d2. Theportion 4I receives the end of the channel member with the block 2lresting.

on the bottom wall of the portion el. The portion 42 has a hole i3therein to receive a screw bolt i4 which also extends through alinedholes inthe strips 22, 2l and 22. When the latch portions 29 are engagedwith the strips 35, the retainers le will relieve the flange 2-I ofstrain.

The strips 35 are vertically adjustable to compensate for adjustments ofthe sill bar I2 with respect to the guides I2 required to compensate forvariations in the height of the frame construction. Thus it is possibleto always bring the lange 24 down in contact with the sill bar I2.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that a person may exert a pull onthe handle 33 which will cause the disengagement of the latch portions29 from the keeper strips 35, for winding or unwinding the material I9;that when the pull on the handle is withdrawn the latch portions 29 willbe automatically engaged with the keeper strips 35 by the spring 34 toretain the screen material slid down to the desired extent; and that theother advantages mentioned may be attained.

I claim:

1. In a latch, latch members supported for movement into and out oflatching position, resilient means acting on said latch members to urgethem into their latching position, a handle loosely engaged with saidlatch members to move 7 the latter in unison, and means iixed inrelation Yin relation to said latch members to cooperate therewith, asthe handle is moved in one direction, to thereby move the latch membersout of their latching position. v

3. In a latch, latch members supported for movement into and out oflatching position, resilient means acting .on said latch .members tourge them into their latching position, a coupler constituting a handleslidably and turnably connected with said latch members to move thelatter in unison, and means iixed in relation to said latch members tocooperate therewith, as the handle is manipulated, to thereby move thelatch members out of their latching position.

4. In a latch, latch members supported for movement into and out oflatching position, a tubular coupler constituting a handle slidably andturnably connected with said latch members, a coil compression springwithin said handle acting on said latch members to urge them into theirlatching position, and means ixed in relation t said latch members tocooperate therewith, as the handle is manipulated, to thereby move thelatch members out of their latching position.

5. In a latch, latch members, means supporting said latch members foraxial movement in opposite directions and also for turning movement, ahandle loosely engaged with said latch members, said latch membershaving axial and turning movement with respect to said handle, resilientmeans acting on said latch members to urge them axially into theirlatching position, and means xed in relation to the latch members tocooperate therewith, as the handle is manipulated to turn the latchmembers, to thereby move the latter axially out of their latchingposition.

6. In a latch, a pair of elements each constructed of cross-sectionallyround stock and consisting of relatively oiset portions joined by anintermediate portion, the offset portions of each of said elementsconsisting of a latch portion and a handle portion, the intermediateportion of each of said elements consisting of a cam portion, meanswhich receives the latch portions of said elements to support the latterfor axial movement in opposite directions and also for turning movement,a tubular handle telescopically engaging the handle portions of saidelements, so that the latter may have axial and turning movements withrespect to said handle, a coil compression spring arranged within saidhandle whose opposite ends bear on the handle portions of said elementsrespectively, and means fixed in relation to said cam portions of saidelements to cooperate therewith, as the handle is moved to turn saidelements, to thereby move the latter axially to disengage said latchingportions against the compression of said spring, and the spring servingto urge said elements axially to engage said latch portions when thehandle is released.

'7. In a latch, slidable and turnable latch elements, resilient means tourge said elements into latching position, and a coupler constituting ahandle slidably and turnably connected with said elements manipulatableto move said elements into unlatching position.

8. In a latch, slidable and turnable latch elements, resilient means tourge said elements into latching position, and a coupler constituting ahandle slidably and turnably connected with said elements manipulatableto move said elements into unlatching position.

9. A latching assembly comprising a channel memben bearings in saidchannel member, elements having latch portions extending in said channelmember and received in said bearings whereby said elements are supportedfor sliding and turning movements, said elements having handle portionsdisposed outside of the channel member, a tubular handle whose oppositeends slidably and turnably receive said handle portions respectively forthe purpose of turning said elements and allowing the latter to slidewith respect to said handle, resilient means within said handle whichconstantly acts on said handle portions to slide said elements intoprojected position to engage said latch portions, and cooperative meansembodied by said channel member and elements to cause the latter toslide into retracted position to disengage said latch portions, whenturning movement is imparted to said elements in response to themovement of said handle.

10. A latching assembly comprising a channel member, bearings in saidchannel member, elements having latch portions extending in said channelmember and received in said bearings whereby the elements are supportedfor sliding and turning movements, said elements having handle portionsdisposed outside of the channel member, a tubular handle whose oppositeends slidably and turnably receive said handle portions respectively forthe purpose of turning said elements and allowing the latter to slidewith respect to said handle, resilient means within said handle whichconstantly acts on said handle portions to slide said elements intoprojected position to engage said latch portions, said channel memberhaving slots therein disposed obliquely with respect to the axis of saidlatch portions, and said elements having cam portions extending throughsaid slots respectively, said cam portions coacting with the walls ofsaid slots to cause said elements to slide into retracted position todisengage the latch portions, when turning movement is imparted to saidelements in response to the movement of said handle.

11. A latching device comprising a rigid strip adapted to be attached toa structure mounted for movement, said strip having a flange extendingalong its lower edge, a channel member extending along said flange andresting thereon, bearings in said channel member, elements having latchportions extending in said channel member and received in said bearingswhereby said elements are supported for sliding and turning movements,said elements having handle portions disposed outside of said channelmember, a tubular handle whose opposite ends slidably and turnablyreceive said handle portions respectively for the purpose of turningsaid elements and allowing the latter to slide with respect to saidhandle, resilient means within said handle which constantly acts on saidhandle portions to slide said elements into projected position to engagesaid latch portions, and cooperative means embodied by said channelmember and elements to cause the latter to slide into retracted positionto disengage said latch portions, when turning movement is imparted tosaid elements in response to the movement of said handle.

MINAS YARTYAN.

